Wrap-around article carrier

Abstract

A wrap-around article carrier, comprising a bottom panel having opposing side edges and further having opposing end edges, a first side panel and an opposing second side panel, and a top panel having opposing side edges. Each one of the side panels has a top edge and an opposing bottom edge that is connected to one of the side edges of the bottom panel. The side edges of the top panel are connected to one of the top edges of the side panels. The carrier further has a first end panel and an opposing second end panel. Each of the end panels has a bottom edge that is connected to one of the end edges of the bottom panel. The carrier further has an article holder connected to the top panel. The article holder contacts and secures the top of articles contained within the carrier.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A wrap-around article carrier for containing a product formation defined by adjacent rows and adjacent columns of articles, comprising: (a) a bottom panel having opposing side edges and opposing end edges;   (b) a first side panel and an opposing second side panel, each of said side panels having a top edge and an opposing bottom edge, said bottom edge of each of said side panels being connected to one of said side edges of said bottom panel, said side panels having at least one cutout, said at least one cutout having opposing tabs, said at least one cutout being aligned between adjacent columns of articles;   (c) a first end panel and an opposing second end panel, each of said end panels having a bottom edge, said bottom edge of each of said end panels being connected to one of said end edges of said bottom panel, each of said end panels further having a first bevel panel portion and a second bevel panel portion, each of said bevel portions being defined within said end panels by a fold line;   (d) a first gusset foldably connected to said first bevel portion of each end panel and a second gusset foldably connected to said second bevel portion of each end panel, said first gussets being foldably connected to said first side panel, said second gussets being foldably connected to said second side panel; and   (e) a top panel, said top panel including a first top panel and a second top panel, said first top panel having a side said first top panel having a side edge attached to said top edge of said first side panel, said second top panel having a side edge attached to said top edge of said second side panel, said second top panel being overlapped and attached to said first top panel.   
     
     
       2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein said first side panel further has a handle opening. 
     
     
       3. The carrier of claim 1, wherein said carrier further comprises an article holder connected to one of said top panels, said carrier containing a product configuration of a plurality of articles, each of said articles having a top and a bottom, said article holder being in contact with at least one of said article tops. 
     
     
       4. The carrier of claim 3, wherein an article holder includes at least one chime adapted to receive said article top. 
     
     
       5. The carrier of claim 4, wherein said chime is adapted to receive a top flange of a beverage can. 
     
     
       6. The carrier of claim 3, wherein said article holder is a lock flap connected to said first top panel by a fold line, said lock flap having at least one chime. 
     
     
       7. The carrier of claim 6, wherein said chime is a semi-circular opening defined by a diametric edge and a peripheral edge, said opening being sized to receive a top of an article, said diametric edge being formed along said fold line defining said lock flap, said peripheral edge being cut and scored to form at least one tab. 
     
     
       8. The carrier of claim 6, wherein said carrier contains twelve articles in a product configuration of three rows by four columns. 
     
     
       9. A wrap-around beverage can carrier for containing a product formation defined by adjacent rows and adjacent columns of cans, each of said cans having a top flange, comprising: (a) a bottom panel having opposing side edges and opposing end edges;   (b) a first side panel and an opposing second side panel, each of said side panels having a top edge and an opposing bottom edge, said bottom edge of each of said side panels being connected to one of said side edges of said bottom panel, said side panels having at least one cutout, said at least one cutout having opposing tabs, said at least one cutout being aligned between adjacent columns of articles, said first side panel having a handle opening;   (c) a first end panel and an opposing second end panel, each of said end panels having a bottom edge, said bottom edge of each of said end panels being connected to one of said end edges of said bottom panel, each of said end panels further having a first bevel panel portion and a second bevel panel portion, each of said bevel portions being defined within said end panels by a fold line;   (d) a first gusset foldably connected to said first bevel portion of each end panel and a second gusset foldably connected to said second bevel portion of each end panel, said first gussets being foldably connected to said first side panel, said second gussets being foldably connected to said second side panel, each of said gussets including a first web panel and a second web panel, said first web panel being foldably connected to said second web panel at a first fold line, said first web panel being foldably connected to one of said side panels at a second fold line, said second web panel being foldably connected to one of said bevel panel portions in one of said end panels at a third fold line, said first web panel being folded about said second fold to be adjacent to said side panel and said second web panel being folded about said first fold line to be adjacent to said first web panel;   (e) a top panel, said top panel including a first top panel and a second top panel, said first top panel having a side said first top panel having a side edge attached to said top edge of said first side panel, said second top panel having a side edge attached to said top edge of said second side panel, said second top panel being overlapped and attached to said first top panel; and   (f) an article holder connected to said top panel, said article holder being in contact with said top flange of at least one of said beverage cans.   
     
     
       10. A flat blank for forming an article carrier, comprising: (a) bottom panel having opposing side edges and further having opposing end edges;   (b) a first side panel and an opposing second side panel, each of said side panels having a top edge and an opposing bottom edge, said bottom edge of each of said side panels being connected to one of said side edges of said bottom panel;   (c) a first top panel and a second top panel, said first top panel having a side edge attached to said top edge of said first side panel, said second top panel having a side edge attached to said stop edge of said second side panel, said second top panel adapted to be overlapped and attached to said first top panel in an article carrier formed from said flat blank;   (d) a first end panel and an opposing second end panel, each of said end panels having a bottom edge, said bottom edge of each of said end panels being connected to one of said end edges of said bottom panel;   (e) a first gusset and a second gusset foldably connected to each of said first and second end panels, said first gussets being foldably connected to said first side panel, said second gussets being foldably connected to said second side panel; and   (f) each of said gussets includes a first web panel and a second web panel, said first web panel being foldably connected to said second web panel at a first fold line, said first web panel being foldably connected to one of said side panels at a second fold line, said second web panel being foldably connected to one of said end panels at a third fold line.   
     
     
       11. The flat blank of claim 10, wherein said first side panel has a handle opening. 
     
     
       12. The flat blank of claim 10, wherein said side panels have at least one cutout adjacent to said top edge, said at least one cutout having opposing tabs. 
     
     
       13. The flat blank of claim 10, wherein each of said end panels has a first bevel panel portion connected to said first gusset and a second bevel panel portion connected to said second gusset, each of said bevel portions being defined within said end panels by a fold line, said bevel panel portions being foldably connected to said second web panels at said third fold lines. 
     
     
       14. The flat blank of claim 10, further comprising an article holder attached to one of said top panels, said article holder having a form to engage and secure at least one article top in an assembled article carrier. 
     
     
       15. The flat blank of claim 14, wherein said article holder is a lock flap connected to said first top panel by a fold line, said lock flap having at least one chime for engaging and securing the at least one article top. 
     
     
       16. A flat carrier blank for forming an article carrier, comprising: (a) a bottom panel having opposing side edges and opposing end edges;   (b) a first side panel and an opposing second side panel, each of said side panels having a top edge and an opposing bottom edge, said bottom edge of each of said side panels being connected to one of said side edges of said bottom panel, said side panels having at least one cutout adjacent to said top edge, said at least one cutout having opposing tabs;   (c) a first top panel and a second top panel, said first top panel having a side edge attached to said top edge of said first side panel, said second top panel having a side edge attached to said top edge of said second side panel, said second top panel adapted to be overlapped and attached to said first top panel in an article carrier formed from said flat carrier blank;   (d) a first end panel and an opposing second end panel, each of said end panels having a bottom edge, said bottom edge of each of said end panels being connected to one of said end edges of said bottom panel; and   (e) a first gusset and a second gusset, each of said gussets being foldably connected to each of said first and second end panels, said first gussets being foldably connected to said first side panel, said second gussets being foldably connected to said second side panel, each of said gussets including a first web panel and a second web panel, said first web panel being foldably connected to said second web panel at a first fold line, said first web panel being foldably connected to one of said side panels at a second fold line, said second web panel being foldably connected to one of said end panels at a third fold line.   
     
     
       17. A flat carrier blank for forming a beverage can carrier, comprising: (a) a bottom panel having opposing side edges and opposing end edges;   (b) a first side panel and an opposing second side panel, each of said side panels having a top edge and an opposing bottom edge, said bottom edge of each of said side panels being connected to tone of said side edges of said bottom panel, said side panels having at least one cutout adjacent to said top edge, said at least one cutout having opposing tabs, said first side panel having a handle opening;   (c) a first top panel and a second top panel, said first top panel having a side edge attached to said top edge of said first side panel, said second top panel having a side edge attached to said top edge of said second side panel, said second top panel adapted to be overlapped and attached to said first top panel in a beverage can carrier formed from said flat carrier blank;   (d) a first end panel and an opposing second end panel, each of said end panels having a bottom edge, said bottom edge of each of said end panels being connected to one of said end edges of said bottom panel, each of said end panels further having a first bevel portion connected to said first gusset and a second bevel panel portion connected to said second gusset, each of said bevel portions being defined within said end panels by a fold line;   (e) a first gusset and a second gusset, each of said gussets being foldably connected to each of said first and second end panels, said first gussets being foldably connected to said first side panel, said second gussets being foldably connected to said second side panel, each of said gussets including a first web panel and a second web panel, said first web panel being foldably connected to said second web panel at a first fold line, said first web panel being foldably connected to one of said side panels at a second fold line, said second web panel being foldably connected to one of said bevel panel portions of said end panels at a third fold line; and   (f) an article holder connected to one of said top panels, said article holder having a form to engage and secure tops of cans contained by an assembled beverage can carrier.